Child missing in large surf at Port Macquarie

A CHILD has gone missing in large and powerful surf conditions south of Watonga Rocks at Lighthouse Beach.

An emergency services alert was issued just after 1.30pm on Wednesday, December 6 with Marine Rescue Port Macquarie, lifeguards, emergency services crews and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter responding.

The missing child is an 11-year-old boy and is believed to have been pulled out in a rip while swimming in shallow water with his family, a NSW Police Media spokesperson confirmed. He has not been seen since.

A second child, aged 17, was also caught in the rip but managed to get himself to shore independently, police said. He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics.

NSW Ambulance Acting Superintendent David Horseman said the family is being supported on the beach.

“Every effort is being made to locate the missing young swimmer, we are all working together on scene,” Acting Supt Horseman said.

“We have ambulance crews on scene, the NSW Ambulance and Westpac Helicopter plus Marine Rescue are doing their very best to locate the missing child.”

“The 17-year-old is now on the beach with his parents and we are all hoping we can find this young fellow.”

Head lifeguard James Turnham said a drone will be put in the sky shortly to assist with the search.

The family remains with emergency services while the search continues.

An 11-year-old child has been washed out in a rip at Lighthouse Beach at Port Macquarie. @MarineRescueNSW volunteers responding. The rescue vessels PM 30 (pictured) PM 20 and a Rescue Water Craft have been activated. pic.twitter.com/59ntstLmk5